Nick Dempsey

Nick Dempsey
Personal information
Birth name	Nicholas Charles Dempsey
Nickname	Dempo
Nationality	British
Born	13 August 1980 (age 43); Norwich, England
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	70 kg (154 lb)
Sport
Country	United Kingdom
Sport	Windsurfing
Event	Men's RS:X class
Coached by	Dom Tidey
Medal record
Men's sailing
Representing Great Britain

Nicholas Charles Dempsey^[4] (born 13 August 1980 in Norwich) is a British windsurfer, who lives in Poole, Dorset. He became the first man to win three Olympics medals in windsurfing when he won silver in the 2016 Rio Olympics, adding to a silver won in the 2012 London Olympics, and a bronze from the 2004 Athens Olympics.^[5] He is also twice world champion, winning gold in 2009 and 2013.^[6]

Career

Dempsey booked his first international success at the 1998 Mistral Youth World Championships, where he won the bronze medal. As a senior his first win was clinched at the North Sea Cup Series in Pevensey Bay, and an additional third place in the Kiel Week.

During the 2000 Summer Olympics he finished in 16th position. He continued winning competitions in 2001 and beyond like Athens Eurolymp Week, Kieler Woche and the Spa Regatta before finishing third at the 2004 Summer Olympics to take the windsurfing bronze medal.

When switching to the RS:X class he won race after race, resulting in the first spot on the RS:X world rankings. He took the gold medal at the 2006 RS:X European Championships. At the 2006 RS:X World Championships he finished in 5th position.

At the 2008 Summer Olympics he came 4th in the RS:X Class windsurfing class with 60 points. He was 2 points behind Israeli bronze medalist Shahar Tzuberi.

At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Dempsey won the silver medal in the RS:X Class windsurfing class, behind Dorian van Rijsselberge of the Netherlands.^[7]

In the 2016 Summer Olympics, Dempsey again won the silver in the RS:X Class, again behind van Rijsselberge. With three medals won in the Olympics, he became the most decorated men's Olympic windsurfer.^[8]

Personal life

Dempsey married yachtswoman Sarah Ayton in October 2008 just two months after she won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In June 2009, they had a son, Thomas-Flynn, and another son Oscar in March 2012.^[9] The couple broke up in late 2012. Dempsey has an interest in photography.^[10]

Achievements

Year	Position	Windsurfing class	Event
2016		RS:X – Men's Windsurfer	2016 Olympic Games – Men's sailboard
2015		RS:X – Men's Windsurfer	2015 Sailing World Cup Weymouth and Portland
2013		RS:X – Men's Windsurfer	2013 RS:X World Windsurfing Championships Búzios^[11]
2012		RS:X – Men's Windsurfer	2012 Olympic Games – Men's sailboard
2009		RS:X – Men's Windsurfer	2009 RS:X World Windsurfing Championships Weymouth and Portland
2008	4.	RS:X – Men's Windsurfer	2008 Olympic Games – Men's sailboard
2006		RS:X – Men's Windsurfer	2006 RS:X European Championships
2006		RS:X – Men's Windsurfer	Holland Regatta
2006		RS:X – Men's Windsurfer	Semaine Olympique Française
2006		RS:X – Men's Windsurfer	HRH Princess Sofia Trophy
2006		RS:X – Men's Windsurfer	Rolex Miami OCR
2004		Mistral – Men	2004 Summer Olympics
2003		Mistral – Men	Saronikos Gulf Regatta
2003		Mistral – Men	XXXIV Princess Sofia Trophy
2003		Mistral – Men	Athens Eurolymp Week
2002		Mistral – Men	Kieler Woche
2002		Mistral – Men	North Sea Cup Series – Herne Bay
2002		Mistral – Men	Spa Regatta
2002		Mistral – Men	Sail Auckland
2002		Mistral – Men	Sail Melbourne
2001		Mistral – Men	Kieler Woche
2001		Mistral – Men	XXXII Princess Sofia Trophy
2001		Mistral – Men	Athens Eurolymp Week
2000	16.	Mistral – Men	2000 Summer Olympics
2000		Mistral – Men	Kieler Woche
2000		Mistral – Men	North Sea Cup Series – Pevensey Bay
2000		Mistral – Men	Penta Mistral Cup
1998		Mistral – Men	1998 Mistral World Youth Championship